Israel - General Info:
Israel is a small country located in the Middle East. It has shorelines on the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Dead Sea, and the Sea of Galilee. It is located between Africa, Asia and Europe, and shares borders with Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt. Israel became a country in 1948 after the end of the British Mandate, under which it had been governed since World War I.
Most of Israel's citizens are Jewish; however, there is also a large Arab minority of Muslims, Christians and Druze.
Israel is nearly 21,000 square kilometers (more than 8000 square miles) in size. The highest point in the country is Mt. Hermon in the North; the most south is in Eilat, a desert city on the shores of the Red Sea.
Passport & Visa Requirements
Visitors to Israel need a valid passport and proof of a return ticket. Passport holders from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel may also need to obtain a visa before their arrival. Tourists with valid visas can stay in Israel for up to three months. Visas may be extended for a nominal fee at the Ministry of Interior.
Citizens holding passports from the following countries will be issued visitors’ visas free of charge at any of Israel’s ports of entry:
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany (if date of birth is after 1.1.28), Gibraltar, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Asia & Oceania: Australia, Fiji Islands, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea
Africa: Central African Republic, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa, Swaziland.
The Americas: Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, St. Kitts, & Nevis, Surinam, Trinidad, & Tobago, The Bahamas, The Dominican Republic, Uruguay, U.S.A.
Languages
Israel’s two official languages are Hebrew and Arabic; but many Israelis speak at least one other language including English, Russian, Spanish, and French.
Weather & Dress
Israel’s climate varies widely by both region and season.
Winter is Israel’s rainy season; it usually lasts from about mid-November to the end of March. Northern Israel has the most rain, and amount of rainfall decreased the further South you travel. Warm clothes and rainwear are needed in winter, and even if you are planning a stay in Eilat, the desert, or by the Dead Sea, a sweater is recommended for evenings out. In areas with higher elevation such as Jerusalem and the North, a sweater or jacket is necessary for most evenings throughout the year, except during the summer months.
Summer temperatures range between 28 and 40 degrees Celsius, again depending on the region you are visiting. The center, and all along the Mediterranean Coast, is hot and humid throughout the summer season; locals and tourists alike spend most of their free time on the beach. Summer temperatures in the South are hotter than the center, but with a drier heat and almost no humidity.
Hats, sunglasses and a bathing suit are suggested for tourists coming during any time of the year. Head coverings are required for visits to all holy sites (of any religious affiliation); women may also be asked to cover their shoulders or legs if wearing tank tops or shorts. Israeli dress style is very informal, so suits and ties will only be necessary when coming for a formal business trip.
More about Israel Weather
Time Difference
Israel is two hours ahead of GMT, seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and seven hours behind Japan and Australian East Coast time. Israel is in the same time zone as South Africa.
Transportation
Public transportation in Israel is very convenient and comes in various forms:
TRAIN: The Israeli railroads infrastructure has been upgraded significantly in the past 10 years. As of now, the railway network in Israel runs along the Mediterranean Coast, and connects places like between Haifa, Tel Aviv, Beer-Sheva, Oron, Netanya, Akko (Acer), Nahariya and Ben-Gurion airport, and in recent times, even Jerusalem. Trains are fast, cheap, comfortable and run very regularly. They do not operate on Shabbat or holidays. You can check the train schedule at http://www.rail.co.il/
BUS: Most intercity bus lines, as well as the local service in most of the large cities and towns, are operated by Egged, while in the Tel Aviv area, where private bus service also exists, local and intercity transport is provided by the Dan bus company. Buses run from about 5:30 am until midnight.
Fares on buses in Israel are not expensive, and for longer stays monthly bus passes are available on most urban routes. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booths in the central bus station in each city or town, but are most often purchased directly from the driver. Buses also do not operate on Shabbat or Jewish religious holidays; the final bus on a Friday afternoon is usually around 16:00.
Additionally, taxis and minivan taxis (called a sherut in Hebrew) operate in some of the large cities and between major cities run 364 days of the year – every day except for Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement.
Shops
Shops are usually open Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Jewish Sabbath begins on Friday at sundown and runs until Saturday evening when the first stars appear. Therefore, most business shops close around 2:30pm on Friday afternoons and do not reopen until Sunday morning. The same schedule applies to the Jewish religious holidays.
Shops run by Muslims are closed Fridays while those operated by Christians are closed on Sundays.
Please note that in Israel many stores do not have return policies. Many allow exchange, but this varies from store to store. If you are unsure, it is best to ask in advance.
Postal Services
Most neighborhood post offices and postal agencies operate from 8 am, six days a week. Both morning and afternoon hours vary from one office to the next; most close for a few hours in the early afternoon. Aside from stamps and mail, money changing and transfer services are also available at main post office branches.
Money
The Israeli currency is the New Shekel (NIS), generally referred to simply as the shekel. The plural is shekalim. The current exchange rate is approximately 4 shekalim to one US dollar, but this can fluctuate depending on the daily rate of exchange.
Money can be exchanged in most banks and at authorized money changers. Visitors holding international credit cards from home can use them to withdraw Israeli currency most ATMs.
If any shekels remain at the end of your trip, up to the equivalent of $500 may exchanged for foreign currency at Ben Gurion Airport. In order to exchange more than that -and up to the equivalent of $5000 - receipts of the original purchase of shekels in Israel is required.
Customs Procedures
As in most international ports of entry, customs authorities man both red channel and green channel exits from Israel’s international airports. Go through the green channel, unless you have something to declare.
Current duty-free allowances for anyone entering Israel are: 250 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco products, two liters of wine and one liter of spirits, and 250 mg. of perfume.
Agricultural regulations forbid bringing animals, plants, firearms, fresh fruit or meat.into Israel.
Credit Cards
Visa, Eurocard/Mastercard, Diners Club and American Express are the four credit cards used in Israel. Most shops, restaurants and public services accept them.
VAT
Israel’s Value Added Tax (VAT) currently stands at 15.5%. According to law, the total listed on all bills and receipts must be inclusive of VAT, unless otherwise specified. Foreign tourists not possessing Israeli passports are exempt from VAT charges at hotels, on internal flights, organized tours and car rentals. This is relevant only for payments made in foreign currency or with a foreign credit card. Additionally, international tourists without Israeli citizenship or an Israeli passport may receive a refund on the VAT they paid for certain purchases made in Israel. The refund will only be given if the following specifications are fulfilled:
1) The purchase is made at an authorized shop (a sticker noting participation through the Israel Tax Authority and the Ministry of Tourism will appear in the shop window or door), and the shopper receives a special VAT invoice (“Refund Invoice”).
2) The price of the purchase including VAT exceeds $100.
3) The goods purchased will be taken out Israel. They are intended for personal use only and were bought in non-commercial quantities; no food, drink, or tobacco products are included in these goods.
Border crossings where VAT refunds are available:
Airports: Ben Gurion Airport. Eilat Airport. Ovda Airport. Ashdod
Seaports: Eilat and Haifa
Land Border Crossings: Nahar-HaYarden (Hussein) Bridge. Allenby Bridge. Rafiah Border Crossing. Taba Border Crossing. Aravah Terminal
Eilat is a VAT-free zone almost everything except cigarettes.
Tipping
Restaurants: 15-20 percent has become the common amount to leave for service, especially in trendy or upper-scale restaurants. Some establishments will automatically add a service charge when serving groups. In order to tip on a credit card, you should advise the server in advance of making the payment. Tips are generally paid in cash in Israel; restaurants have difficulty adding a service fee after the initial charge is made.
Taxis
There is no shortage of taxis in Israel’s major cities. All taxis must be metered electronically, except when expressly excluded by regulations (for inter-urban trips or when a flat rate is agreed upon prior to departure). The cost of inter-urban rides appears on an official price list that the driver must present upon request.
Taxi meters can print receipts with both flat and metered rates; passengers are entitled to a receipt when requested.
The meters have various rate settings. The standard fare is relevant for most of the week. There is a special surcharge for rides on Friday evenings, Saturdays, holidays and at night; there is also an additional fee for taxis ordered by phone. The driver may also charge for luggage (depending on the number of pieces).
Tipping taxi drivers is not customary in Israel.
Israeli Food
It is easy to find top-quality kosher and non-kosher restaurants throughout Israel serving food from just about every nation around the world: French, Italian, Indian, Chinese, Russian, Persian, Hungarian, Brazilian, Ethiopian, Yemenite, Druze, Kurdish and many more.
Israel has a lot to offer even for those on a limited budget. Middle Eastern food restaurants make up the highest percentage of the country’s eating establishments serving hummus, shishlik, mixed grill and kebabs. They offer good quality food, a good value for your money and a chance to sample dishes that are considered exotic to the European and American palette. Arabic and Druze restaurants are also worth trying especially during travels in the North.
Fast food can also be found everywhere. The local variety includes falafel, shwarma and sabich, but the internationally famous options have become just as prevalent. International chains offering pizza and hamburgers are all over; just to name a few: McDonald’s, Nando’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Sbarro’s, Domino's, Pizza Hut, Haagen Dazs, and Ben & Jerry’s.
Many restaurants have English menus; those without are generally happy to help explain the menu to tourists.
Most Israel restaurants are open non-stop until the evening hours, but many of those that work at night, don’t open until about 12 pm. Resto/bars are very popular in the larger cities, generally keeping even longer hours and remaining open into the wee hours of the morning.
Israel’s wine industry is a success story in its own right. There are hundreds of vineyards and “boutique” wineries both in the North and South of Israel who have developed fine, prize-winning vintage wines, employing modern technology and expert knowledge and using grapes grown locally from the Golan Heights to the Negev Desert.
Israeli Voltage
Electricity in Israel is mostly 220 volts, 50 cycles. Many hotels have begun to offer 110-volt connections in rooms for electric shavers or laptops. If you are coming with electrical or electronic products from home, it is recommended that you bring a voltage converter on your trip, as well as a plug adapter. Most newer sockets in Israel are three pronged, but differ in shape from those used in Europe.
Car Rental
International companies such as Hertz, Avis and Budget operate branches throughout the country, but there are also many local companies to choose from. Most offer a variety of vehicles including vans, jeeps and luxury models. Vehicles may be rented upon arrival at the airport (for an additional fee), or at many locations throughout the country. Fly/drive programs are also available, offering deals including car and hotel accommodation.
Tourist Information Centers in Israel
Ben Gurion Airport
Entrance Hall
Hours: Sun-Thu: 24 hours;
Jerusalem
Jaffa Gate, Omar Katab Square in the Old City
Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 8:30 am-5 pm
Nazareth
Khan Al Basha Building, Casanova St
(opposite Basilica of the Annunciation)
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5 pm; Saturday 9 am-1pm.
Tel Aviv
1) Tel Aviv Tourist Information Office
Ministry of Tourism
7 Mendele St.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 8 am-4:30 pm.
2) Tel Aviv Tourism Association
Tel Aviv Promenade, 46 Herbert Samuel St.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 9:30 am-4pm.
Eilat
8 Beit Hagesher St.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 8 am-6 pm.
Golan Heights
Qatzrin City Center
Hours: Sun-Thu 8:30 am-5pm; Friday 8:30am-1:30pm
Upper Galilee
1) 70 Tel Hai Blvd., Kiryat Shmona
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 8am-5pm; Friday 8am-1pm
2) Mahanayim Junction
Hours: Sunday-Saturday, 8am-4pm.
3) Safed, Hazor, Rosh Pina Tourism Association
Center of the Galilee Mall, at the entrance to Rosh Pina.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 8am-4pm
Tiberias
Habanim St. Archeological Park
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 8:30am-12:30pm.
Jordan Valley
Jordan Valley Regional Council
Commercial Center, Tzemach Junction
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 9am-4pm; Friday-Saturday 9am-2pm.
Haifa
Haifa Tourist Association
48 Ben Gurion St., the German Colony
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 9am-5 pm; Friday 9am-1 pm; Saturday 10am-3pm
Carmelim
1) The Cave Stream Nature Reserve
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 9am-4 pm; Friday 8am-1pm; Saturday 8am-5pm.
2) Hameyasdim St., Zichron Yaakov
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 8 am -1 pm.
Netanya
12 Ha’atzmaut Square, Netanya
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 8am-4pm; Friday 9am-12pm.
Gush Etzion
Gush Ezion Tourism Association
Efrat Industrial Region
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 8 am to 4 pm.
Beersheva
Abraham Well, 1 Hevron Rd., Beersheva
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 8 am to 4 pm.
Dead Sea
Tamar Regional Council
Ein Hatchelet Mall, Ein Bokek
Hours (Monday-Saturday): Winter 9am to 4 pm; Summer, 10 am to 5 pm.
Arad
Paz Gas Station, Industrial Area, Arad
Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm.
Negev Highlands
1) Negev Highlands Regional Council
Entrance to the Sde Boker Institute
Hours: Saturday-Sunday, 8 am to 4 pm.
2) Negev Highlands Regional Council
Avdat National Park
Hours: Saturday-Sunday, 8 am to 4 pm.
3) Negev Highlands Regional Council
Mitzpe Ramon Visitors Center
Hours: Saturday-Sunday, 8 am to 4 pm.
Arava Desert
Arava Regional Council
Bottom of the Scorpion Slope
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 8 am to 4 pm; Friday, 8 am to 12 pm.
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